LFC’s Jordan Henderson — The journey from boy to man and then man to hero

Player Profile: Jordan Henderson
Full name: Jordan Henderson
Date of birth: 17 June 1990 (age 30)
Place of birth: Sunderland, England
Height: 6ft (1.82 m)
Playing position(s): Midfielder
Current team: Liverpool FC (Club Captain)
Squad Number: 14

When Jordan Henderson joined Liverpool a few years ago, no one really thought that he would have ended up making the impact he did. In fact, he was written off by most managers and pundits. Sir Alex Ferguson mentioned that his style of running would not let him play at the highest level for too long and that he would have been injury-prone.

But as things have panned out, he is probably the most integral clog in the Liverpool machine. He is relentless, tireless, and a proper midfield maestro who lays everything on the pitch — a strong and able leader, a disciplined player and most of all, a humble human being.

Filling the shoes of Captain of Liverpool taking over from legend Steven Gerrard was never going to be easy. However, he has stepped up and assumed the role in the best possible manner.

He is a League Cup Winner in 2012, Europa League Runner Up in 2016, UEFA Champions League winner in 2018 and a two-time EPL runner-up and a World Cup semi-finalist. In fact, in his younger days, he was a Young Player of the Year Award Winner.

Somewhat amazingly, he manages to be underrated and has not been able to cement his position as a winner in the eyes of the media and fans. Henderson is an honest man who has, on multiple occasions, defied critics and managed to work himself into the role of Captain for both club and country (albeit briefly).

For Liverpool, Henderson follows the footsteps of Hansen, Whelan, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Paul Ince, Harry Redknapp, Sami Hyypia and Steven Gerrard. A list of elite players who gave it their all. While for the country, he follows Kevin Keegan, Robson, Gary Lineker, Pearce, Platt, Adams, Alan Shearer, David Beckham, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard & Wayne Rooney.

The honest truth is that he is not a player who possess stylish individual ability like Ronaldo or Messi. However, his industry is the reason that most of his teammates can play freely. Here is an assessment of how Liverpool fairs when Henderson starts the game as compared to when he does not.

Over the recent past with the Covid-19 situation quite grim across the planet, he took the first step to get Premier league Captains and clubs to help out. Even in the fight against the European Super League, he led the fight for the Club.

Jordan Henderson has grown as a human being and watching his journey from a little boy with immense potential, he has become a man that many dream of becoming. A true leader and Captain. We believe filling Gerrard’s shoes was a tough ask, well, he has done well and etched himself in the history books at Liverpool Football Club.

Understanding his contribution by checking out Liverpool statistics:

With Henderson starting games v/s him not starting games

Do note: These statistics are for last season. This season he has missed a lot of games due to injury and we’ve seen how that has affected the club.

In the games that Henderson has played they have an impressive win percentage of 82.4%. When he does not line up at kick-off, the win percentage drops down to 58.3%.

The average number of goals that Liverpool score when he starts games is 2.1, while when he is benched or rested, the average goals per game drops to 1.9.

When it comes to defensive duties, Liverpool concedes lesser goals when he starts games too. When he plays, the average goals is 0.7. When compared to him not starting, they concede a staggering 1.8 goals per game.

These statistics should lay to rest the thoughts of those that believe that he is not worth starting for Liverpool in any competition. It will be hard to believe that he is not the first name on the team sheet when it comes to the system that Jurgen Klopp is playing.

Jordan Henderson has stood out in the middle of adversity.

There is a proverb ‘heavy is the head that wears the crown.’ Henderson, as Captain of Liverpool FC and for a brief period Captain of England national team, has always been in positions of great responsibility. In all honesty, loyalty aside, he has managed to deliver and at the same time improved his individual ability as well as improved each team that he has been a part of.

Since his younger days, he has already had loads of expectations and has always managed to work and reach the heights that he has.

Henderson, in the eyes of fans

Well, some do believe that he is not the best player in the team, but no one can say that Henderson is a bad player. There are very few players who put in the unselfish work still manage to not let media and opinions of others affect them. He is the un0sung hero of this Liverpool team and is at the centre of the way that Liverpool play. He is the reason that Liverpool has gotten over the line on more than one occasion. His drive, passion and leadership are what push Liverpool on and off the field. There he is a fantastic leader and a proud Captain.

What do other football pros think of Henderson? (Interview snippets)

Assessing the views of the various managers and players that have worked with Henderson over the years, it’s clear Henderson is not short of admirers in both club teams and the national team. Many previous managers and players have been quite impressed by Henderson.

Here is what the previous manager, Brendan Rodgers, had this to say about Jordan, “Jordan is improving all the time. As he matures even more tactically, he’ll become even better. He’s becoming one of the real leaders of this young team.”

Fellow teammate Paul Konchesky has said, “I think as time goes on, the responsibility that he is being given now at Liverpool by Brendan will help him. He’s in our leadership group and is someone that needs to take on leadership responsibilities when he comes to England. His rise has been fairly meteoric as well. It wasn’t long ago that I picked him for Euro 2012, and the decision was vilified. Then when he went to the under-21 tournament a year later and got an awful lot of criticism captaining England Under 21 team. No one had a good word to say about him. It’s only the last year people are starting to say: actually, this boy’s a good player. I think we’ll see him get better and better, and that’s what we hope. If he starts to add goals as well, then you’re talking about someone who is exceptional.”

Current LFC manager Jurgen Klopp, who retained Henderson as Captain of Liverpool, joined the list of admirers after watching him play and also improving him. Klopp had said, “I love his attitude. I don’t read what you write, so if there is not enough credit for him, then do it. He can’t have any more credit in my eyes. I love his attitude — it is outstanding. From my side, there is no doubt about him. He is massively important, and I think he’s become a big leader in the dressing room but also on the pitch as well. Not just the way he plays but also vocally as well. I think he’s really grown into the captaincy. The thing that people don’t realise from the outside is that he puts 12, 12-and-a-half kilometres in, week in, week out. That’s full-on energy. He helps Liverpool with the pressing style, winning the ball back, and his passing this season has been very good. So, I think when you take him out, he’s a big loss.”

It is high time that we attach respect to the name of Jordan Henderson. He is well on his way to becoming a legend in the history of Liverpool Football Club.

Thank you, Jordan Henderson!